Easy Ways To Incorporate Sustainability Into Your Course
Some of us teach subjects that easily incorporate units and assignments related sustainability. Others need to get creative and find the opportunities.
The topic of sustainability can be approached from many different angles; the trick is finding the angle that works for your course. Below you will find a list of some guiding questions to help get you started. Make note of the related “SDGs” that are included in these list items, as they will help you later on.
- Do students use any physical materials in your course?
- Where do these materials come from? How are they disposed of?
- How will graduates from your program make smart choices about materials in their future careers?
[SDGs 9, 11, 12]
- Will transportation be a part of your students' future careers?
- What must they learn now that will help them choose more efficient, lower or no-emission transportation options?
[SDGs 7, 11]
- How does food production or consumption touch your industry or course topic?
- In your course, are there ways to get curious about environmentally friendly food strategies?
[SDGs 2, 6, 12, 14, 15]
- What can students learn about energy production and use now that will help them choose more efficient, lower or no-emission options for the remainder of their lives?
[SDGs 7, 12]
- Humans share this planet with lots of others. Is there a way to bring in conversations about ecosystems, biomimicry, biodiversity, bioaccumulation, species-at-risk, smart urban planning, restoration strategies, feedback loops, and other systems?
[SDGs 13, 14, 15]
- Sustainability work includes social equity. How can you bring in examples, readings, assignments, guest speakers, films, fields trips, games, simulations, and other teaching tools that highlight inequality problems and offer solutions? Graduates from your course will bring this lens to their future workplaces.
[SDGs 4, 5, 10]